Easy opening container wall with retained tear strip

ABSTRACT

An easy opening container wall comprising a container wall of sheet material, a line of weakness in the container wall defining a tear portion partially removable from the container wall, and a tab joined to the tear portion to partially remove the tear portion by severing of the sheet material along the line of weakness. The tear portion is foldable after severance of the sheet material along the line of weakness to form a folded tear portion of less length than the original unfolded tear portion. The tab is constructed so as to cover the severed edges of the folded tear portion.

United States Patent [191 Silver EASY OPENING CONTAINER WALL WITH RETAINED TEAR STRIP Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 245,940, April 20,

I972, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 220/269 [51] Int. Cl B65d 17/20 [58] Field of Search 220/54, 48, 27

[56] References Cited 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,717,279 2/l973 Patarini et al. 220/54 Apr. 15, 1975 Primary Examiner-George T. Hall Attorney, Agent, or Firm-George F. Smyth [57] ABSTRACT An easy opening container wall comprising a container wall of sheet material, a line of weakness in the container wall defining a tear portion partially removable from the container wall, and a tab joined to the tear portion to partially remove the tear portion by severing of the sheet material along the line of weakness. The tear portion is foldable after severance of the sheet material along the line of weakness to form a folded tear portion of less length than the original unfolded tear portion. The tab is constructed so as to cover the severed edges of the folded tear portion.

35 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PATENTEUAPR I 5l975 PATENTEDA 1 sum 2 OF 6 EASY OPENING CONTAINER WALL WITH RETAINED TEAR STRIP CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 245,940, filed Apr. 20. 1972. and assigned to the same assignee and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A typical easy opening container wall includes a container wall of sheet'material. a line of weakness in the container wall defining a tear portion, and a tab attached to the tear portion to remove the tear portion from the container wall. Because of the litter problem created by the tab and tear portion after removal from the container wall, it has been proposed to provide an easy opening container wall in which the tear portion is not removable from the container wall.

When the sheet material is torn along the line of weakness. the edges of the tear portion formed by such tearing are very sharp and jagged. These jagged knife edges of the tear portion represent a potential source of injury to the consumer.

One problem with the non-removable tear portion concept outlined above is that the consumer may be cut by the sharp edges of the tear portion. This danger is multiplied on a beverage container when the beverage is consumed directly from the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a simple solution to this problem. With the present invention. the tear portion is folded. either as part of the can opening operation or after the opening is formed. to reduce its length and the sharp edges of the folded tear portion are covcred by the tab. Specifically. the edges of the tear portion which might cause injury are effectively ensheathed between the container wall and the tab.

The most popular tab is the ring tab which has a large linger receiving aperture and is formed from a mini mum amount of sheet material. The conventional tear portion of the other hand is relatively long. The folding of the tear portion reduces its length and allows a ring tab to form a guard over the severed edges of the tear portion. lf the tab were not folded. nothing resembling a conventional ring tab could perform this guard function unless the shape of the tear portion were drastically altered. Even if the tab does not cover the severed edges. the folding of the tear portion reduces the length of the tear portion and thereby reduces the likelihood of injury to the user.

The folding of the tear portion is advantageously accomplished by using the bend lines which are inherently formed in the tear portion as a result of the opening process. With one form of the present invention, an opening process is used in which the tab is first pivoted to initiate severance of the sheet material along the line of weakness to form an opening and subsequently pulled to peel the tear portion back away from the container wall to enlarge the opening. The first bend line is initiated in response to pivotal movement of the tab and the second bend line is initiated in response to outward pulling of the tab. The bending about the two bend lines is in opposite directions with the result that the length of the tab is reduced.

To accomplish this, the tear portion preferably has a leading end and a first end opposite from the leading end with the tear portion being permanently affixed to the container wall at the leading end even after severance of the line of weakness. The tab has a handle end and a rupturing end. The tab is attached to the tear portion with the rupturing end overlying the leading end so that in response to pivotal movement of the tab, the rupturing end bears against the leading end to force the latter inwardly into the container to which the container wall is affixed. This forms an opening in the container wall and initiates formation of the first bend line. The second bend line is formed in the region of the sheet material adjacent the first end of the tear portion in response to outward pulling on the tab to continue severance of the line of weakness.

In order to assure that the severed edges of the tear portion will be covered by the tab, it is important to control the location of the two bend lines as well as the relative shapes of the tab and tear portion. Preferably, the first bend line is closely adjacent the attachment means for the tab and tear strip and on the same side thereof as the first end. The present invention provides I three separate features usable singly or in combination to locate the first bend line in this position.

First, the tab is entirely longitudinally rigid so that the first bend line inherently forms intermediate the attachment means and the handle end of the tab in response to pivotal movement of the tab. Secondly, a bend score line is formed in the tear portion closely adjacent the attachment means at the location where the first bend line is to be formed. Third, stiffening means are formed in the tear portion on the same side of the first bend line as the leading end to rigidify the region between the leading end and the first bend line against bending about an axis generally parallel to the first bend line.

To facilitate bending about the second bend line. a bend score line may be formed along the second bend line. The sheet material along both of the bend score lines is not rupturable in ordinary usage of the easy opening container wall.

It is important that the tab and tear portion be appropriately sized and that the bend lines be appropriately located so that the sharp edges of the folded tear portion are completely covered by the tab. One way to assist in obtaining this result is to locate the first bend line on the same side of the widest region of the tear portion as the first end.

In another form of the present invention the opening operation involves lifting the tab which includes spaced legs having a web therebetween. Since the tear portion is attached to the tab at the web. the legs are proportioned to bear against the container wall to provide the leverage needed to initiate rupture of the sheet material along the line of weakness. The line of weakness is in a configuration to form an opening including essentially side walls terminating at one end in a larger opening which forms a pouring opening.

The tear portion includes spaced and axially aligned deformations in the form of reinforcing beads whose location and length determine the location of the bend lines. These reinforcing beads also operate, in cooperation with the tear portion which is relatively narrow in the region of the parallel side walls. to maintain the tear portion in essentially a flat plane during the opening operation.

The tear portion is non-removable and includes a leading end and a first end opposite the leading end. The tab legs proportioned to overlie the edges of the larger pour opening and the free ends of the legs project somewhat beyond the leading end of the tear portion. Thus, the web attaches the tab to the tear portion closely adjacent to an apex at the leading end of the tear portion.

As the tab is raised, the reinforcing beads keep the tear portion in a flat plane as the sheet material is severed along the line of weakness. Once the line of weakness is severed, the tear portion starts to fold in the region between the reinforcing beads and the first end. As the tear portion is raised further, it starts to fold in that portion between the beads. When completely folded, the tab is positioned over the folded tear portion which is of a length less than the unfolded tear portion. In the folded position, the tab overlies and covers the free edges of the rear portion formed by severing the sheet material along the line of weakness.

The invention can best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an easy opening container wall constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention with the tab removed;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the easy opening container wall with the tab attached to the tear portion;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the easy opening container wall after the tab has been manipulated to partially remove the tear portion to form an opening in the container wall;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along 5-5 of FIG. 2 and showing the easy opening container wall installed on a container body;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the same plane as FIG. 5 after the tab has been pivoted to initiate severance of the sheet material along the line of weakness;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken in the same plane as FIG. 5 and showing generally the the position of the components as the tab is pulled outwardly to peel the tear portion back away from the container wall;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 8-8 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of another form of easy opening container wall constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of container wall illustrated in FIG. 9, with the tab removed; and

FIGS. 11 to 16 are views in section illustrating the sequence and relative position of elements during the opening operation of the easy opening container wall of FIGS. 9 and 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 2 shows an easy opening container wall 11 which generally includes a tab 13 and a container wall 15. The container wall 15 is constructed of sheet material such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy and includes a peripheral attaching flange 17 for attaching the container wall 15 to a container or can body 19 (FIG. 5). Although the container wall 15 is circular in the embodiment illustrated, it can obviously be of other configurations,

The container wall 15 has a line of weakness in the form of a rupturable score line 21 formed therein defining a tear portion 23 which is only partially removable from the container wall. The rupturable score line 21 may be of any configuration which will in the ordinary course of operation preclude complete removal of the tear portion 23 from the container wall 15. In the embodiment illustrated, the rupturable score line 21 terminates in spaced apart ends 25 with the sheet material between these ends serving to prevent complete removal of the tear portion from the container wall.

In the embodiment illustrated, the tear portion 23 is elongated and extends from a leading end 27 located adjacent the periphery of the container wall 15 radially inwardly to terminate at an inner end 29. The tear portion 23 is of generally teardrop configuration and has a region 31 of maximum width.

The tear portion 23 has a rivet 33 formed integrally with the sheet material of the tear portion for attaching the tab 13 to the tear portion. A first bend score line 35 extends transversely of the tear portion 23 closely adjacent the rivet 33 and on the same side thereof as the inner end 29. A second bend score line 37 extends transversely of the tear portion 23 substantially at the inner end 29. The bend score lines 35 and 37 are scored to a much lesser depth than the rupturable score line 21 and the sheet material along the bend score lines does not rupture in ordinary use of the easy opening container wall.

A reinforcing rib 39 extends from a first location closely adjacent one end of the bend score line 35 toward the leading end 27 and partially around the rivet 33 to terminate at a second location closely adjacent the other end of the bend score line 35. As shown in FIG. 1, the ends'of the rib 39 are spaced apart, and the rib 39 extends closely adjacent the leading end 27. The rib 39 is preferably formed downwardly so as not to prevent the tab 13 from lying flat against the container wall 15.

The tab 13 in the embodiment illustrated is integrally constructed from a single piece of sheet material. The tab 13 is entirely longitudinally rigid and includes an outer reinforcing bead 41 which extends completely around the outer periphery of the tab. The bead 41 terminates in two spaced apart ends at a nose or rupturing end 43 of the tab and defines a rupturing flange 44 at the rupturing end (FIGS. 4-8). The tab 13 is a ring tab and has an inner bead 45 extending around its inner periphery to define a finger receiving opening 47. The tab 13 has a handle end 49 at the end thereof opposite from the rupturing end 43.

The rivet 33 attaches the tab 13 to the tear portion 23 with the rupturing end 43 overlying the leading end 27 and with the handle end 49 lying on the same side of the rivet 33 as the inner end 29. The portions of the edges of the tab 13 on the same side of the bend line 35 as the rupturing end 43 overlie the tear portion and in the embodiment illustrated underlie the edges of the tear portion 23.

In operation, the handle end 49 of the tab 13 is lifted upwardly away from the container wall 15 as shown in FIG. 6. This causes the rupturing flange 44 to bear against the leading end 27 of the tear portion 23 and ultimately rupture the sheet material along the line of weakness 21 at the leading end 27 to form an opening 51 as shown in FIG. 6.

Because the tab 13 is entirely longitudinally rigid, pivotal movement of the tab of the type shown in FIG. 6 inherently initiates bending of the tear portion 23 along the bend line 35. The bend line 35 facilitates such bending of the tear portion. In addition, the rib 39 stiffens the region of the tear portion between the bend line 35 and the leading end 27 with the result that bending along the bend line 35 is further facilitated.

The tab 13 may be pivoted to various angles and thereafter the user exerts an outward pulling force to tear the sheet material further along the rupturable score line 21 as shown in FIG. 7. This peels the tear portion 23 back along the container wall and enlarges the opening 51. This peeling back motion inherently bends the tear portion 23 about the region which attaches the tear portion to the container wall 15. Accordingly, when the tear portion is torn back to the bend line 37, some bending will occur about this bend line with the bend line facilitating such bending.

After moving the tab 13 and the tear portion 23 to the position shown in FIG. 7, the user simply pushes the tab downwardly toward the container wall 15. This sharpens the bends around the bend lines 35 and 37 and folds the tear portion 23 to reduce the length thereof. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the bending of the tear portion 23 about the bend lines 35 and 37 is in opposite directions. As shown in FIG. 8, each of the bends formed along the bend lines 35 and 37 are substantially completely 180 bends with the result that the tab 13 lies close to the container wall 15.

Tearing of the sheet material along the line of weakness forms relatively sharp severed edges 53 (FIG. 3) on the tear portion 23. As shown in FIG. 3, the tab 13 and the tear portion 23 are configured so that the severed edges 53 of the tear portion are completely covered by the tab after the tab is folded upon itself about the bend lines 35 and 37. With the tab 13 and the tear portion 23 in the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the container can be safely used without the severed edges 53 endangering the user. Moreover, the tab 13 and the tear portion 23 are non-removable from the container wall 15 with the result that they can cause to litter problem.

In the form illustrated in FIG. 9, the easy opening container wall 60 includes a tab 62 and a container wall 65. The container wall 65 is constructed of sheet material such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy and includes a peripheral attaching flange 67 for attaching the container wall 65 to a container body (not shown). Although the container wall is circular in the form illustrated in FIG. 9, other configurations obviously may be used.

The container wall 65 has a line of weakness in the form of a rupturable score line 70 formed therein defining a tear portion 73 which is only partially removable from the container wall. The rupturable score line 70 may be of any configuration whichwill, in the ordinary course of operation,preclude complete removal of the tear portion 73 from the container wall 65. In the form illustrated, the rupturable score line 70 terminates in spaced apart reversing curves 75 with the sheet material between these reversing curves serving to prevent complete removal of the tear portion from the container wall.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the tear portion 73 is of a generally elongated shape and extends from a leading end 77 located adjacent the periphery of the container wall radially inwardly thereof to terminate at an inner end generally designated 79. In the form shown, the score line is of a configuration to form a pouring spout with the apex 80 defined by two converging angles with a small radius tangent to both, as indicated at 81 and 82. The pattern of the score line progresses to a gradually large diameter in the area 83 and then recedes into a narrow strip generally indicated 85 formed by essentially parallel spaced side walls 86 and 87. The transverse dimension of the narrow strip 85 is less than the diameter of the pouring-end of the spout in the area 83.

The tab 62 in the form illustrated is integrally constructed from a single piece of sheet material. The tab 62 is entirely longitudinally rigid and includes an outer reinforcing bead 91 which extends substantially around the outer periphery of the tab. The inner periphery likewise includes a bead 92 to define a finger receiving opening, as illustrated. The tab 62 has a handle end 94 at the end thereof which is in spaced relationship to the leading end 77 of the score line 70.

In the form shown, the tab includes spaced legs and 101 which are formed by the double-folded bead 91. Positioned between the spaced legs 100 and 101 is an integrally formed web 105, the web being spaced from the adjacent legs by notches 106 such that the web forms a hinge, for reasons which will be described hereinafter.

As illustrated, the tab is affixed to the tear portion 73 by an integral rivet 110, the latter formed integrally with the sheet material of the tear portion and being received within an aperture provided in the web 105. As can be seen from FIG. 10, the rivet 110 is closely adjacent the apex 80 of the score line. Other means known to those skilled in the art may be used to attach the tab.

The legs 100 and 101 are proportioned with respect to the web and the location of the rivet 110 so as to provide the leverage needed to effect rupturing of the sheet material along the line of weakness.

In a form illustrated, the tear portion of the container wall includes means in the form of axially spaced deformations I15 and 120 in the form of reinforcing beads which are raised above the plane of the tear portion 73.

The reinforcing beads and perform two functions. During the opening operation of the can which will be described, infra, the reinforcing beads operate to maintain the tear portion 73 in a flat plane. Thereafter, the position and length of the reinforcing beads operates to define automatic bend lines to permit the automatic folding of the tear portion in the fully open position. It will be observed that the transverse dimension of the reinforcing beads I15 and 120 is proportioned with respect to the transverse dimension of the strip 85 such that the reinforcing beads act as spaced aligned beams in addition to defining the automatically formed bend lines.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 through 16, the sequence of steps in the opening operation is schematically illustrated. As the rear end 121 of the tab 62 is raised, the spaced legs 100 and 101 bear against the container wall slightly forward of the apex 80 of the score line 70. As the tab is raised further, to a position illustrated approximately in the FIG. 11, rupture of the score line is initiated as the result of the lever action of the tab and the cooperating legs 100 and 101. That is, the legs 100 and 101 bear against the top such that the rivet 110 is raised to initiate rupture of the score line along the apex 80.

The web 105 operates as part of the lever to lift the rivet slightly to initiate rupture of the score line 70 and thus the tab acts as a cam tab.

As the free end 121 of the tab 62 is continued to be raised, to the position shown approximately in FIG. 12, the leading end 77 of the tear portion and the forward end of the web are bend slightly. The reinforcing beads 115 and 120 operate. however, to maintain the balance of the tear portion 73 in essentially a flat plane. In the relative position illustrated in FIG. 12, an initial bending has started around the bend line 125 located between the inner end 79 of the tear portion 73 and reinforcing bead 120.

As the tab is raised to the position illustrated in FIG.

13, the second bend line 130 located between the axially spaced reinforcing beads begins to fold in a direction towards the container wall. Once bending of the second bend line has started, it is possible to compress or push the tab down against the container wall such that the various elements assume the relative positions illustrated in FlGS. 14-16.

As illustrated in FIG. l6, the tear portion has been folded such that its length is less than the length of the unfolded tear portion. The tab 62 is positioned over the folded tear portion and operates to cover the free edges of the tear portion formed by severing of the sheet material along the line of weakness during the opening operation.

As will be apparent. in the form illustrated in FIGS. 9-16, the tear portion is bend into folds subsequent to removal of the tear portion from the container wall to form the opening. The bend areas are automatically defined by the length and location of the reinforcing ribs with respect to each other and to the inner end 79 of the tear portions 73. The reinforcing beads cooperate with the tab and the tear portion automatically to effect folding of the tear portion after the tear portion has been severed. During the severing operation, the reinforcing beads are operative to maintain the tear portion in essentially a flat plane.

The various forms which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention offer the advantages of providing a container wall structure of the easy open variety in which the tear portion remains with the container wall. Also, by providing a folding feature, in which the tab is proportioned to overlie the folded tear portion. the consumer is protected against contact with the free edges of the tear portion formed by severing the sheet material along the line of weakness.

Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described. many changes. modifications and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

1 claim:

1. An easy container wall comprising:

a container wall of sheet material;

means defining a tear portion in said container wall partially removable from the container wall;

tab means joined to said tear portion and movable to partially remove said tear portion to form an opening in said container wall;

said tear portion being foldable to a folded position to form a folded tear portion of a length less than the tear portion in the unfolded position;

said tear portion in the folded position being located above the container wall; and

said tab means being operative in the folded position of said tear portion to cover the folded tear portion which is positioned between the container wall and the tab means.

2. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 1 wherein said tear portion is foldable as said tear portion is being removed to form said opening.

3. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 1 wherein said tear portion is foldable after said tear portion has been removed to form said opening.

4. An easy opening container wall comprising:

a container wall of sheet material;

a line of weakness in said container wall defining a tear portion partially removable from the container wall;

a tab joined to said tear portion. said tab being movable to sever the sheet material along said line of weakness to partially remove said tear portion to form an opening in said container wall, the severed sheet material along the line of weakness forming severed edges of the tear portion;

said tear portion being foldable to a folded position after severance of the sheet material along the line of weakness has been begun to form a folded tear I portion of less length than the tear portion in the unfolded position;

said tear portions in the folded position being located above said container wall; and

said tab covering said severed edges of the folded tear portion which folded tear portion is positioned between theicontainer wall and the tab means.

5. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 4 wherein the tear portion is foldable in opposite directions about two spaced bend regions on the tear portion.

6. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 4 wherein said tear portion is foldable about a first bend line, said first bend line being at least partially defined by a bend score line in said tear portion.

7. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 4 wherein the folding of said tear portion is at least initiated in response to the severance of the sheet material along the line of weakness.

8. An easy opening container wall comprising:

a container wall of sheet material;

a line of weakness in said container wall defining a tear portion which is non-removable from the container wall;

a tab joined to said tear portion. said tab being movable upwardly and away from said container wall to sever the sheet material along said line of weakness to partially remove said tear portion to form an opening in said container wall; and

said easy opening container wall including means for bending said tear portion about first and second bend regions of said tear portion after severance of the sheet material along the line of weakness has been begun whereby said tear portion can be folded above said container wall about said bend regions to reduce the length of said tear portion.

9. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 8 wherein said means includes a first bend score line in the tear portion along the first bend region.

10. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 8 wherein the bending of the tear portion about said first bend region is along a predetermined path, said means includes a stiffening rib in said tear portion for substantially impeding bending of the tear portion adjacent to and at least on one side of the first bend region about an axis generally parallel to said predetermined path.

ll. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 8 wherein said tab is joined to said tear portion at a first location and said first bend region is on one side of said first location, said means includes a longitudinally rigid tab for inducing bending of the tear portion on said one side of said first loction as the tab initiates severance of the sheet material along the line of weakness.

12. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 8 wherein said tear portion is elongated and has a region of maximum width, said tear portion having a leading end at which the severance of the sheet material along the line of weakness is initiated, said region of maximum width being intermediate the leading end of said tear portion and said first bend region.

13. An easy opening container wall comprising:

a container wall of sheet material;

a line of weakness in said container wall defining a tear portion which is non-removable from the container wall. said tear portion having a leading end.

and a first end opposite said leading end with the sheet material of the container wall adjacent said first end being non-removable from the container wall;

a tab having a handle end and a rupturing end;

attachment means for attaching said tab to said tear portion with the rupturing end of said tab overlying the leading end of the tear portion whereby movement of the handle end of the tab away from the container wall forces the rupturing end against the tear portion to rupture the sheet material along the line of weakness at the leading end of the tear portion and forms a first bend line in said tab adjacent said attachment means;

the sheet material of the container wall adjacent said first end of said tear portion being bendable to form a second bend line as said tab is pulled outwardly from said container wall to rupture the sheet material along the line of weakness whereby the tear portion can be folded by the bending of said tear portion about said first and second bend lines to thereby shorten the tab; and

the free edges of said tear portion which are formed by severing of the sheet material along the line of weakness being severed edges, said tab covering said severed edges of the folded tear portion.

14. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 13 wherein said tear portion is elongated and has a portion of maximum width, said first bend line and said leading end being on opposite sides of said portion of maximum width.

15. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 13 wherein said first bend line is at least partially defined by a first bend score line lying intermediate said attachment means and said second bend line.

16. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 15 wherein said tab is entirely longitudinally rigid.

17. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 13 including a first and second bend score lines extending at least partially across the tear portion along said first and second bend lines.

18. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 13 wherein said leading end is adjacent the periphery of said container wall, said tear portion is elongated and extends generally radially of the container wall, and said bend score lines extending generally transversely of the tear portion.

19. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 13' wherein said first bend line is between said attachment means and said first end of said tear portion, said tear portion having means other than said attachment means adjacent said first bend line for stiffening the region of said tear portion adjacent said first bend line and on the same side thereof as said leading end.

20. An easy opening container wall comprising:

a container wall of sheet material;

means forming a line of weakness in said container wall to define a tear portion partially removable from the container wall;

tab means joined to said tear portion, said tab being movable upwardly and away from said container wall to sever the sheet material along said line of weakness to partially remove said tear portion and to form an opening in said container wall. the severed sheet material along the line of weakness forming severed edges of the tear portion;

said tear portion being operative subsequent to forming said opening by severance of the sheet material along the line of weakness to form a folded tear portion of less length than the tear portion in an unfolded position;

said tear portion in the folded position being located above the container wall; and

said tab means cooperating with said tear portion in the foled position thereof the cover the severed edges of the foled tear portion which is positioned betweenthe container wall and the tab means.

21. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 20 wherein said tear portion is foldable about two spaced bend regions on the tear portion.

22. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 20 wherein said tear portion is foldable about a first bend line, said first bend line being at least partially defined by reinforcing bead means in said tear portion.

23. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 20 wherein said tear portion includes spaced axially aligned reinforcing beads,

said reinforcing beads being operative to maintain said tear portion in essentially a flat plane during severance of said sheet material and to permit bending between said beads to form a folded tear portion with said tab means overlying the same to cover the severed edges thereof.

24. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 20 wherein said tab is joined to said tear portion by an integral rivet,

said tab including a pair of spaced legs and a body portion,

web means between said spaced legs and receiving said rivet, and said legs being proportioned with reclaim 25 wherein said means for bending is located in the portion of said tear portion defined by said line of weakness.

spect to the location of said rivet on said web to act as levers in severing said sheet material.

25. An easy opening container wall comprising:

a container wall of sheet material;

means forming a line of weakness in said container wall to define a tear portion which is nonremovable from the container wall;

tab means joined to said tear portion, said tab being movable upwardly and away from the wall to sever the sheet material along said line of weakness to partially remove said tear portion above the wall and to form an opening in said container wall; and

said easy opening container wall including means for bending said tear portion about first and second bend regions of said tear portion whereby said tear portion can be folded above the wall about said bend regions to reduce the length of said tear portion.

26. An easy opening container wall as defined in 27. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim wherein said tear portion is foldable about two spaced bend locations.

25 28. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 25 wherein said means for bending includes a bend score line in the tear portion along a bend region.

29. An easy opening container wall as defined in 30. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 27 wherein said two bend locations are defined by means forming spaced bend score lines.

31. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 27 wherein said two bend locations are defined by spaced bead means. 32. An easy opening container wall comprising:

a container wall of sheet material;

means forming a line of weakness in said container wall to define a tear portion which is nonremovable from the container wall, said tear portion having a leading endand a first end opposite said leading end with the sheet material of the container wall adjacent said first end being nonremovable from the container wall;

means forming a tab including spaced legs and a handle end, said tab having web means between said spaced legs;

means for attaching said tab to said tear portion with the legs being on each side of said tear portion, said attaching means being affixed to said web such that the ends of said legs bear against said container wall whereby movement of the handle end of the tab away from the container wall raises said web means to initiate rupture of said sheet material along the line of weakness at the leading end of the tear portion;

means in said tear portion of said container wall in the form of spaced deformations defining automatic bend lines, said deformations cooperating with said tab and said tear portion to effect folding of said tear portion after said tear portion has been severed;

said deformations being operative during severance of said tear portion to maintain the same in essentially flat plane; and

said tab being positionable over said folded tear portion to cover the free edges of the tear portion formed by severing the sheet material along the line of weakness.

33. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 32 wherein one bedn line is located between said spaced deformations and said first end.

34. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 33 wherein another bend line is located between said spaced deformations.

35. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 34 wherein during folding of said tear portion includes bending the tear portion about said one bend line prior to bending about said another bend line. 

1. An easy container wall comprising: a container wall of sheet material; means defining a tear portion in said container wall partially removable from the container wall; tab means joined to said tear portion and movable to partially remove said tear portion to form an opening in said container wall; said tear portion being foldable to a folded position to form a folded tear portion of a length less than the tear portion in the unfolded position; said tear portion in the folded position being located above the container wall; and said tab means being operative in the folded position of said tear portion to cover the folded tear portion which is positioned between the container wall and the tab means.
 2. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 1 wherein said tear portion is foldable as said tear portion is being removed to form said opening.
 3. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 1 wherein said tear portion is foldable after said tear portion has been removed to form said opening.
 4. An easy opening container wall comprising: a container wall of sheet material; a line of weakness in said container wall defining a tear portion partially removable from the container wall; a tab joined to said tear portion, said tab being movable to sever the sheet material along said line of weakness to partially remove said tear portion to form an opening in said container wall, the severed sheet material along the line of weakness forming severed edges of the tear portion; said tear portion being foldable to a folded position after severance of the sheet material along the line of weakness has been begun to form a folded tear portion of less length than the tear portion in the unfolded position; said tear portions in the folded position being located above said container wall; and said tab covering said severed edges of the folded tear portion which folded tear portion is positioned between the container wall and the tab means.
 5. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 4 wherein the tear portion is foldable in opposite directions about two spaced bend regions on the tear portion.
 6. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 4 wherein said tear portion is foldable about a first bend line, said first bend line being at least partially defined by a bend score line in said tear portion.
 7. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 4 wherein the folding of said tear portion is at least initiated in response to the severance of the sheet material along the line of weakness.
 8. An easy opening container wall comprising: a container wall of sheet material; a line of weakness in said container wall defining a tear portion which is non-removable from the container wall; a tab joined to said tear portion, said tab being movable upwardly and away from said container wall to sever the sheet material along said line of weakness to partially remove said tear portion to form an opening in said container wall; and said easy opening container wall including means for bending said tear portion about first and second bend regions of said tear portion after severance of the sheet material along the line of weakness has been begun whereby said tear portion can be folded above said container wall about said bend regions to reduce the length of said tear portion.
 9. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 8 wherein said means includes a first bend score line in the tear portion along the first bend region.
 10. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 8 wherein the beNding of the tear portion about said first bend region is along a predetermined path, said means includes a stiffening rib in said tear portion for substantially impeding bending of the tear portion adjacent to and at least on one side of the first bend region about an axis generally parallel to said predetermined path.
 11. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 8 wherein said tab is joined to said tear portion at a first location and said first bend region is on one side of said first location, said means includes a longitudinally rigid tab for inducing bending of the tear portion on said one side of said first loction as the tab initiates severance of the sheet material along the line of weakness.
 12. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 8 wherein said tear portion is elongated and has a region of maximum width, said tear portion having a leading end at which the severance of the sheet material along the line of weakness is initiated, said region of maximum width being intermediate the leading end of said tear portion and said first bend region.
 13. An easy opening container wall comprising: a container wall of sheet material; a line of weakness in said container wall defining a tear portion which is non-removable from the container wall, said tear portion having a leading end and a first end opposite said leading end with the sheet material of the container wall adjacent said first end being non-removable from the container wall; a tab having a handle end and a rupturing end; attachment means for attaching said tab to said tear portion with the rupturing end of said tab overlying the leading end of the tear portion whereby movement of the handle end of the tab away from the container wall forces the rupturing end against the tear portion to rupture the sheet material along the line of weakness at the leading end of the tear portion and forms a first bend line in said tab adjacent said attachment means; the sheet material of the container wall adjacent said first end of said tear portion being bendable to form a second bend line as said tab is pulled outwardly from said container wall to rupture the sheet material along the line of weakness whereby the tear portion can be folded by the bending of said tear portion about said first and second bend lines to thereby shorten the tab; and the free edges of said tear portion which are formed by severing of the sheet material along the line of weakness being severed edges, said tab covering said severed edges of the folded tear portion.
 14. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 13 wherein said tear portion is elongated and has a portion of maximum width, said first bend line and said leading end being on opposite sides of said portion of maximum width.
 15. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 13 wherein said first bend line is at least partially defined by a first bend score line lying intermediate said attachment means and said second bend line.
 16. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 15 wherein said tab is entirely longitudinally rigid.
 17. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 13 including a first and second bend score lines extending at least partially across the tear portion along said first and second bend lines.
 18. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 13 wherein said leading end is adjacent the periphery of said container wall, said tear portion is elongated and extends generally radially of the container wall, and said bend score lines extending generally transversely of the tear portion.
 19. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 13 wherein said first bend line is between said attachment means and said first end of said tear portion, said tear portion having means other than said attachment means adjacent said first bend line for stiffening the region of said tear portion adjacent said first bend line and on the same side thereof as said leading end.
 20. An easy opening container wall comprising: a container wall of sheet material; means forming a line of weakness in said container wall to define a tear portion partially removable from the container wall; tab means joined to said tear portion, said tab being movable upwardly and away from said container wall to sever the sheet material along said line of weakness to partially remove said tear portion and to form an opening in said container wall, the severed sheet material along the line of weakness forming severed edges of the tear portion; said tear portion being operative subsequent to forming said opening by severance of the sheet material along the line of weakness to form a folded tear portion of less length than the tear portion in an unfolded position; said tear portion in the folded position being located above the container wall; and said tab means cooperating with said tear portion in the foled position thereof the cover the severed edges of the foled tear portion which is positioned between the container wall and the tab means.
 21. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 20 wherein said tear portion is foldable about two spaced bend regions on the tear portion.
 22. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 20 wherein said tear portion is foldable about a first bend line, said first bend line being at least partially defined by reinforcing bead means in said tear portion.
 23. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 20 wherein said tear portion includes spaced axially aligned reinforcing beads, said reinforcing beads being operative to maintain said tear portion in essentially a flat plane during severance of said sheet material and to permit bending between said beads to form a folded tear portion with said tab means overlying the same to cover the severed edges thereof.
 24. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 20 wherein said tab is joined to said tear portion by an integral rivet, said tab including a pair of spaced legs and a body portion, web means between said spaced legs and receiving said rivet, and said legs being proportioned with respect to the location of said rivet on said web to act as levers in severing said sheet material.
 25. An easy opening container wall comprising: a container wall of sheet material; means forming a line of weakness in said container wall to define a tear portion which is non-removable from the container wall; tab means joined to said tear portion, said tab being movable upwardly and away from the wall to sever the sheet material along said line of weakness to partially remove said tear portion above the wall and to form an opening in said container wall; and said easy opening container wall including means for bending said tear portion about first and second bend regions of said tear portion whereby said tear portion can be folded above the wall about said bend regions to reduce the length of said tear portion.
 26. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 25 wherein said means for bending is located in the portion of said tear portion defined by said line of weakness.
 27. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 25 wherein said tear portion is foldable about two spaced bend locations.
 28. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 25 wherein said means for bending includes a bend score line in the tear portion along a bend region.
 29. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 25 whrein said means for bending includes bead means in the tear portion, said bead means defining a bend region in said tear portion.
 30. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 27 wherein said two bend locations are defined by means forming spaced bend score lines.
 31. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 27 wherein said two bend locations are defined by spaced bead means.
 32. An easy opening container wall comprising: a container wAll of sheet material; means forming a line of weakness in said container wall to define a tear portion which is non-removable from the container wall, said tear portion having a leading end and a first end opposite said leading end with the sheet material of the container wall adjacent said first end being non-removable from the container wall; means forming a tab including spaced legs and a handle end, said tab having web means between said spaced legs; means for attaching said tab to said tear portion with the legs being on each side of said tear portion, said attaching means being affixed to said web such that the ends of said legs bear against said container wall whereby movement of the handle end of the tab away from the container wall raises said web means to initiate rupture of said sheet material along the line of weakness at the leading end of the tear portion; means in said tear portion of said container wall in the form of spaced deformations defining automatic bend lines, said deformations cooperating with said tab and said tear portion to effect folding of said tear portion after said tear portion has been severed; said deformations being operative during severance of said tear portion to maintain the same in essentially flat plane; and said tab being positionable over said folded tear portion to cover the free edges of the tear portion formed by severing the sheet material along the line of weakness.
 33. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 32 wherein one bedn line is located between said spaced deformations and said first end.
 34. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 33 wherein another bend line is located between said spaced deformations.
 35. An easy opening container wall as defined in claim 34 wherein during folding of said tear portion includes bending the tear portion about said one bend line prior to bending about said another bend line. 